The Real Willy Wonka | The Food Scientist Behind Your Favorite Junk Food

[@NewMessage]

When a childhood slaving away in the fields makes you hate real food so much, you dedicate your life to making artificial food.

[@FearlesSLaughteR1]

You’re average worker comes across problems they could solve all the time, but having the resources to not have others cross this problem is a rarity

[@troyevitt2437]

"Comfort Food", aka, "SOUL FOOD". If you know why there's supposed to be a neckbone in the collards, you know the lick.

[@thefumexxl]

This is how all convenience foods ended up becoming so popular. People struggled really fucking hard and after WWII we had so much more resources and money to make life easier and people were not shy about adopting those items into their cabinets. Convenience foods were practically a vacation for homemakers and single people. For the most part the items were also created no differently than they'd be made at home, so the quality was excellent. Our products today have been engineered and scienced into their current state in the name of profits and shelf stability. Most of these things were "real" food when they first came out.

[@jehovahneesmiley3455]

We need a general history of soda. I was thinking just root beer but I think soda has a weird origin in general. I think it would make a great episode.

[@Mordecrox]

The only one I got any hint was one that the Coca Cola company failed to stop, it was just this pharmaceutic who made syrups to mix with medicine back in early 1900s, and also served seltzer water, found people were fond of mixing one of his base syrups with seltzer to make this drink and favored it over Coke, today Coke owns the brand but still enforces their coke no competition clause by not selling it outside its territory (Guaraná Jesus, named after the creator Dr. Jesus, still limited to the Brazilian state of Maranhão) It's an interesting drink, most guaraná drinks have a caramel coloring motif but Jesus was always bright pink.

[@FearlesSLaughteR1]

The way Coca Cola “keeps” their recipe “a secret” is a ride on its own!

[@kykutie686]

Dr. Pepper has a secret recipe and was the only pop with a "hot" run. It was sold in winter. I've heated it up myself on the stove because I was told it temporary soothed a sore throat. I was surprised that it actually does Carmelize and taste pretty good

[@adamlane6453]

@@kykutie686 There are old mid-century advertisements for Dr Pepper that advise heating it in a crock pot and serving it as a holiday beverage.

[@kykutie686]

@@adamlane6453 I didn't know that! I love a good experiment!

[@adcamper92]

Cool Whip is one of my favorites. It’s made pumpkin pie better, and I enjoy it with a nice chocolate pudding

[@TheGelasiaBlythe]

You reminded me that my step family (stepmother, stepbrother, stepsister) all used to positively drown their pumpkin pie in Cool Whip; so much so, that my father got fed up one Thanksgiving when one of my stepbrothers asked him for pumpkin pie, and complained that he hadn't put enough Cool Whip on it, that my father took back the plate, walked over to the Cool Whip tub, and walked back with the tub and plunked a spoon into it, inviting my stepbrother to "dig in." He grumbled for a moment, but actually took a big spoonful and ate it happily before sharing the container with the rest of the family. Dad knew his audience.

[@JusNoBS420]

Are you saying you like coo whipp. Pie tastes better with coo whipp 😂

[@renzothehobo8831]

@@JusNoBS420 what you say

[@halfdome4158]

Cool whip? Not whipped cream? Disgusting.

[@chaewonsglasses]

This channel has made me feel more appreciated for the food that we have now!

[@mestre12]

Another suggestion. Holiday food. Foods that you eat mostly during Xmas, Thanksgiving and Halloween.

[@weirdhistoryfood]

We've got some good holiday ones coming

[@mestre12]

@@weirdhistoryfood nice

[@TGPDrunknHick]

these are always interesting because not only do they give a bit of insight into American food culture but, they give some context to how foods may have spread around the world as well. being an Australian we get some weird levels of what comes into our country and what doesn't. for instance while we get Oreo's we don't get Twinkies. seeing the history of these things explains a lot.

[@TKaePetras]

No Twinkies but you do get Oreos? Mercy!!

[@btetschner]

A+ video! Food Wizard! It's incredible how influential his creations have been, fantastic video!

[@haskinsak]

Ugh love these videos, and I'm so excited for the food channel now! We just finished watching The Food That Built America and it was so good and I love the videos have similarities!

[@gordtron]

they need to bring back Tang to how it used to taste. one of the best juice powders ever but it has not been the same the last 20yrs.

[@SECONDQUEST]

Ain't no juice

[@amstrad00]

WTF is juice!? Orange drank!

[@nadas9395]

You guys make my Sundays worth waking up for

[@seiph80]

I second that

[@katrinafoster3358]

This channel needs more subscribers

[@giraffesinc.2193]

Food genius! Growing up in the '70s, I remember my Grandma giving me Tang every morning with breakfast and all of the other products as well. As for Pop Rocks, I actually went on a date in the '90s that featured Pop Rocks after a long walk out onto the Santa Barbara pier. Mitchell has given us all a lot of really fun memories.

[@payableondeath9091]

I love the sounds they make 😁

[@Nerfherder-oo7iv]

He gave a lot of Americans cancer and diabetes too

[@zach7193]

Familiar with Pop Rocks from the film Urban Legend and the Simpsons. I've had Cool Whip with pie. Another junk food topic covered by Weird History Food.

[@flowertrue]

For those of us who have tried low-carb diets, sugar-free Jell-O with Cool Whip is a godsend

[@jimmycain8669]

It’s garbage

[@qrowing]

I had a friend who was diabetic, and that was always one of her favorite treats.

[@Nefariously_ignorant]

For those of us who know fad diets don't work, that's hilarious

[@jamesflowers1295]

I actually knew all of this. He was one of the guys I wrote to when my class did their letters to NASA. I got his autograph filed away somewhere in my attic

[@shady_panda]

Nice😎

[@giraffesinc.2193]

That's so cool!

[@troyevitt2437]

11:18 Raven Symone who was added to the cast of "The Cosby Show" after Rudy Huxtable "outgrew her cuteness". Then you put the Zeep Zorble Cool Whip on the Jell-O puddin' and it's the Frazzle Dazzle.

[@leoleague6053]

Coming straight from Weird History and Mobsters… Let’s see what’s in store for us today. 🙂

[@Screddy_Henks]

I don't know how many times I can say this is one of my fave channels. My absolute fave narrator. If love to see something about Aussie and Kiwi snacks and another one on the dessert war of words such as pavlova

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

I guess Mitchell's ideas just POPS out of his mind

[@kiniburk]

I bought Oreos with popping candy last July. I was expecting something like Pop Rocks, they weren't but Granddaughter loved them.

[@ArcherSuh4721]

I'm glad somebody liked them. That's the first time I've heard of anybody, adult or child, thinking they were good! Lol! I was so put off by the initial taste I grabbed a napkin to get rid of it before the Pop Rocks started to detonate.

[@jasonflay8818]

My wife and I love them. I hope we are not the only ones. When we first had them last year, we wondered if they would make an appearance again, we were pleasently surprised when we saw them around the Fourth of July. Here's to hoping they are a seasonal staple like Cadbury eggs in spring, and everyone's favorite pumpkin spice EVERYTHING in the fall.

[@payableondeath9091]

@@jasonflay8818💯 IKR 😝 in the meantime get some pop rocks for some extra fun fellatio 🤪

[@snegglederlickton1637]

Cool story bro, tell it again.

[@adamlane6453]

@@snegglederlickton1637 Cool comment bro. Make it again.

[@funnylittlecactus4672]

I love Tang and pop rocks, now I know who to thank for their creation!

[@tylerrose4416]

I would love to know the origins of the British beans on toast. I feel like the answer “war time food shortages” isn’t good enough

[@pandahsykes602]

The origin ? People literally opening their cupboards and realizing beans and bread are the only food … they are good together. Beans and chips , beans and toast , whatever .

[@tylerrose4416]

@@pandahsykes602 well no shit. But beans, tomato sauce, and bread pre date the invention of canned beans. This is like summing up PBJ with “well people just put it together because they felt like it”

[@ripleyandweeds1288]

Oh well thats simple, the British just have no sense of taste.

[@adamlane6453]

@@pandahsykes602 if that was a sufficient explanation for a food's origins, we could readily do away with half of this channel's content.

[@octoberbabyyy]

it's not a very interesting or *weird* piece of food history. Heinz claim to have invented it in 1927, couldnt find much else about it, it's just beans on bread lmao

[@pamelamays4186]

Suggestion: Pillsbury products. Biscuits.. Cinnamon rolls. Slice and bake cookies. It seems that only Pillsbury makes and sells slice and bake cookie dough.

[@bettysmith4641]

Now you have Pillsbury Cornbread Swirls

[@jamesdenzine3459]

History of the pizza Lunchable :) Great content.

[@lindacoolbaugh962]

Wow seeing all these commercials bring me back to my childhood. And yes Pop Rocks was the BOMB!! And I remember believing the Mikey rumors too.

[@feresmourali5783]

And never forget when Homer mixed Pop Rocks with Buzz Cola to make a bomb and escape from the candy convention.

[@minuteman4199]

Was that the "Gummy de Milo" episode?

[@feresmourali5783]

@@minuteman4199 Yes. "Homer Badman" s6 e9

[@matthewdrummond1340]

I always wondered what the bubbles in bubble tea were! 😀

[@justayoutuber1906]

Unscented deodorant sticks

[@meh_lady]

I was a Cosmic Candy aficionado as a kid. The orange flavor was awesome. It was really hard to find so when my dad saw it he would buy a lot of it. He put it in the highest cabinet so I wouldn’t blow through it. He was always concerned about me giving it to my baby brother and would tell me not to every time. As if I was going to share with a dumb stinky baby! 😆 (Coincidentally that baby brother is my very best friend now ❤️) It’s strange how some small things stick in your mind! Now orange Tang is another issue, never liked the stuff!

[@joebone3151]

Tang was always just alright

[@pandahsykes602]

@@joebone3151 this kid fux ^ we always had tang but when sunny d came out there was ZERO reason to have tang 🤔💀🤷‍♂️

[@davidgerow]

He was a food wizard. Cool Whip is of my favorites.

[@justayoutuber1906]

Cooh-wip

[@kathrinsides2838]

I remember my mother warning me not to eat Pop Rocks because she was worried about the safety of them. My aunt bought them for me on the sly & snuck them to me when I spent the night at their house, and I absolutely loved them!!! I kept it a total secret from my mother because I knew that she would lose her mind if she found out that I had gotten ahold of them. And I knew that my aunt & I would be separated and kept apart, and she was one of my favorite people on the planet. So I never told a soul. She still has no idea about this. 😂🤣😂

[@timebong8366]

You should do an episode on when sodas stopped using real sugar and started using high fructose corn syrup and aspartame

[@ipissed]

Up to 60% of Mexican Coke claiming to be made with cane sugar is actually made with HFCS. Even after testing people refuse to believe they have been lied to. It is very easy to tell the 2 molecules apart in tests. The power of suggestion and marketing is very real. Search for the video. BTW: HFCS is a "real" sugar, as is beet sugar etc. Not the same molecule, but a sugar molecule either way.

[@timebong8366]

@@ipissed high fructose corn syrup or aspartame nasty I just stay away from it I'll just drink my water I get from my natural spring that doesn't have any fluoride in it

[@nevertrumpfromthejump]

Amazing, I had no idea pop rocks had such a long and sordid history!

[@alexgeorge501]

i'd always wanted to try eating these foods in a zero-gravity environment

[@superspak]

Can't burp in space though 😁

[@DinoPwn]

Thank you for the content!

[@rareposts]

I hope he was well compensated for those inventions. Can totally imagine him getting screwed financially.

[@Nerfherder-oo7iv]

Kinda like how he screwed Americans over with his “edible” poisons ?

[@Squishsquids]

Love the channel keep up the great work!

[@lastspartan15]

"pop rocks didn't kill Mikey, aren't spider eggs" what a headline

[@TheGelasiaBlythe]

I was left wondering who tried spider eggs and thought that they explode on your tongue. In fruit flavors, no less.

[@kontrowillis6248]

okay so I wasn't the only one that read that.

[@matthewdrummond1340]

I had Pop Rocks up here in the Canadian prairies during the 90's.

[@RichardBaran]

God I love this channel! Awesome work man!

[@minuteman4199]

If I was being nasty I'd call him a food criminal. But the guy is a genius and invented products that millions of people love. The fact that I don't like them doesn't take anything away from his accomplishments.

[@mgthestrange9098]

🎶you’ve been hit by, you’ve been struck by a food criminal.🎶

[@skunklepew6276]

First time I tried Pop Rocks: "What sorcery is this?! Yummy!" --- Yea they were fun.

[@kaykepop4084]

I find Pop Rocks at 5 Below and the Dollar Tree all the time 🤗.

[@Davejust451]

Thanks for the tip. 11/25/24 M

[@TheMerryWidowX]

My dad was Mr. Mitchells paperboy back in the 60's in Lincoln Park, NJ! He lived across the street from him and said he gave out quarters every Halloween.

[@skylerpartridge8570]

Best one yet!

[@proudamerican4050]

Another great video! I'd love to see a video on Ron Popeil and his Ronco company. I have one of his rotisserie ovens and I use weekly ❤

[@crystaburdick7647]

Weird food history guy, your the best, these bids are spot on!! Thx! 😉

[@Turd_Runner]

I can attest that pop rocks are still very much a real thing here in canada with the same packaging as always. Some times during the year you can pick up a "lick a maid/fun dip esk" variant with a sucker that you can dip into the pop rocks.

[@leelalo6625]

I still eat them from time to time. My daughter loves them. It is such a unique candy. I have not tried them with soda ever due to the scare.

[@getoffmydarnlawn]

This episode is an en memoriam for my childhood kitchen. I still keep a tub of Cool Whip in my freezer, usually for replicating one of my mom's old desserts, usually from a recipe from one of the stack of women's magazines she read every month. Sometimes you just wanna taste some memories.

[@TheDesertRat75]

A tub of cool whip plus a box of strawberry cake mix makes a cake like cookie called Strawberry fluffies. Combine one box of Strawberry cake mix with one tub of cool whip, scoop into balls and roll in powdered sugar. Bake at 350°F for about 12 minutes.

[@TheDesertRat75]

A tub of cool whip plus a box of strawberry cake mix makes a cake like cookie called Strawberry fluffies. Combine one box of Strawberry cake mix with one tub of cool whip, scoop into balls and roll in powdered sugar. Bake at 350°F for about 12 minutes.

[@TheDesertRat75]

A tub of cool whip plus a box of strawberry cake mix makes a cake like cookie called Strawberry fluffies. Combine one box of Strawberry cake mix with one tub of cool whip, scoop into balls and roll in powdered sugar. Bake at 350°F for about 12 minutes.

[@ArcherSuh4721]

If William A. Mitchell invented Tang, then he should also receive some credit for so many of the hilarious unintentional double-entredres spoken by the completely oblivious that have kept those of us with immature senses of humor laughing throughout the years...

[@mestre12]

Can you do a video Cereal history?

[@weirdhistoryfood]

We will, yes!

[@equimanthorn6185]

In Israel, theyu sell chocolate that has pop rocks inside. 10/10 best chocolate.

[@Srt3D01-db-01]

Back in the 90s we also had the pop rocks down in mexico, and boy we have more than 90 degrees down here havent heard anything related from the video no explosions no heat burst only massive fun sizzle in our mouths lol. We have another similar candy. The interior has baking soda and its lemon flavor. Oh boy when your reach the center lol these are so nice

[@fergusonfluffington777]

Awesome video

[@keyahnuhface7848]

To know that he settled in Stockton… blows my MIND. 😂

[@HayTatsuko]

Cayenne "Pop Rocks" is not a thing I would have ever imagined, but now that I know about it, very much want.

[@al007italia]

Sorry astronauts, but I have loved Tang since I was a child in the 60s & still enjoy it today.

[@carlkermode899]

I can't believe you had to discuss Cool Whip without referencing Stewie. Damn you copyright!

[@BloodSweatandFears]

I want to know about Taco Bell. How it came to be, how it has changed, it’s popularity over time. Taco Bell please!!!!

[@gettfoffmynews3315]

The history channel has a great show called "The Food that made America" Or something like that and they did an excellent and detailed segment on the founder and history of 🌮🔔.

[@Nerfherder-oo7iv]

Corporatists plot to poison America. There’s your Taco Bell origin story.

[@BloodSweatandFears]

@@Nerfherder-oo7iv Tasty

[@SteveCarras]

Oliver Chase should be mentioned, as a pioneer candy man, creating Necco Wafers in the early nineteenth century.

[@mikeyfrederick1232]

Always super interesting content sir..great narration and well created videos..so yeah you deserve some major credit for the work you put into your channels..

[@ABuffaloDub]

I would like to know more about Camping foods!

[@gorewings4-20]

Pop Rocks just hit different when your fucked up.

[@borisjohnsonslostcomb7457]

At my brother's house my Mom left some stuff for him a while back and one of the Tang Pitchers is there, still has the orange lid on it and everything, pretty cool

[@BangBang-hk4rg]

I always figured it was moisture that activated Pop Rocks. I would’ve never guessed that it was temperature.

[@carmengomez3748]

I remember once, I was keeping Pop Rocks in my hand, and they explosed!! It was not harmfull though 😅

[@Macho_Fantastico]

I've never heard of Tang, but he invented Pop Rocks which is awesome.

[@JohnDlugosz]

10:49 The package of Jell-O shown on the screen does not appear to be a different version that sets quickly. Rather, there are instructions on how to cool it down quickly (add ice). It's only the *directions* that account for the speed set method, not any difference in formulation.

[@scottnotpilgrim]

A true food hero

[@stonedsasquatch]

Pop rocks weren't pulled everywhere. They were one of my favorite candy's in the 80s

[@cygnia]

I remember one of the early episodes of Mythbusters busting Pop Rocks & cola

[@findlay81]

I remember putting a whole pack of pop rocks in my mouth as a kid. There was so much fizz and popping it went up into my nose. Was very awkward and uncomfortable to say the least.

[@haroldvoss5886]

I would love to see an episode on Cajun food, not the overpriced stuff sold in New Orleans, nope, more along the lines of the cuisine regular everyday people in Southern Louisiana partake in . Now a little off subject that this episode helped me remember: When I was a kid, in the mid 70's my dad was stationed at Peterson Air Field just outside Colorado Springs Colorado, I forgot what the event was, but Buzz Aldrin was the main attraction, and somehow, someway, a Stars and Stripes photographer took a picture and that picture was the cover of their next edition, and it was me a towhead 7 year old kid shaking hands with Mr Aldrin. I always thought that was pretty cool, because unlike today, kids never get to do Meet and Greets with men like that

[@DemomanX614]

damn, this channel is awesome. its filling that empty spot Tasted left since they shut down

[@maverickMVK]

I am drinking Tang grape flavored juice while watching this video. I just noticed it.

[@Jesuscares7680]

Hard working man from the beginning..loved this info..Thank you..

[@jazcc]

They are definitely still around. I love them

[@CwL-1984]

this dude is my personal hero.

[@Tobins_throwbacks]

I love these videos! Great work guys!

[@UniqueLibra1981]

I’m always able to find pop rocks at my local Dollar Tree.

[@sonyafox3271]

That’s because, they are still on the market, duh! You can about still buy them anywhere!

[@UniqueLibra1981]

@@sonyafox3271 well if you already know good for you. A lot of people may not know where to buy them. Guess you stay stocked up

[@pleasureincontempt3645]

I loved Cool Whip as a kid. I bought a whole tub of it once and got 3/4s of the way through it before I realized it like drinking cloyingly sugary oil. I haven’t had any since that fateful day.

[@BakedRBeans]

I agree. It's just sweetened. congealed oil.

[@payableondeath9091]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYDcc2SBob1sitE 🤣

[@kermit5760]

Unrelated but I'd love to see a weird history x internet historian crossover one day!

[@auntvesuvi3872]

Thanks for this! ☁

[@Nocturnimancer]

This man got junk food superpowers in a lab explosion...

[@lindaeasley5606]

Let us all give thanks to William Mitchell for the invention of Cool Whip 🙏

[@lyricsbymutte2024]

Your channel reminds me of this food show that tells us about the snacks history.

[@CJolieTV]

Mr. Mitchell is a legend!

[@elr5475]

As a child I loved Jello-1-2-3. I thought it was such a fancy dessert.

[@songmarysmith]

Get your Pop Rocks and Coke fix at your local Dollar Tree! I was a manager at a store that sold both everyday!!😄😄

[@songmarysmith]

I like this guy!! He was innovative and thinking outside-the-box! What a great inspiration!

[@SouthernBelleReviews]

I'd love to see the REAL "Willy Wonka" aka William A. Mitchell's, candy factory. And see the science and creativity behind it all.

[@mindykanitz6255]

Maybe during October you guys can do a video on the monster cereals.

[@Turkeydump]

Pop Rocks was a great kitty litter enhancer.

[@stopsign515]

We still have poprocks in Canada?

[@wmalden]

I grew up in the 1960’s and drank Tang for breakfast every day. I hated orange juice because of the “bits”in it (pulp).

[@Yyaammzz]

No way! there’s a weird history FOOD channel! I thought the narrators voice sounded familiar! This is very exciting

[@jeffreyfisher3115]

Nice to see a biography on an industry scientist, thanks

[@katchin1514]

Zero bar.. In Madeira Beach and Reddington Beach, FL there is a place called, Candy Kitchen. You can order specialized boxes of candy from each decade. Whenever anyone visits it's on the list of, places to visit.

[@honeymulan]

I currently have a packet of pop rocks on my desk. Mmm so good; tastes like childhood!

[@24kRobot]

I did not know about that Taco Bell cayenne pepper rocks. Whoa! I’m cautiously curious.

[@TheGelasiaBlythe]

I imagined it hitting the hot burrito and sending little shards of cayenne pepper into your eye or up your nose. Just a perfect way to enjoy a bit of Taco Bell.

[@holliworden3752]

I would like to hear about Hershey's kisses/ hugs. Did they always have that little piece of paper in the wrapper?

[@lanacampbell-moore6686]

Thanks W.H.F.❤️